I got a nice coax connector crimp tool set last week. There's only one thing that's causing me some aggravation.

Is there any definitive FAQ or listing of the exact strip dimensions for coax that's used for crimp connectors available anywhere? The dimensions to strip the coax certainly don't come with the connectors I've bought so far. All that's in/on the bag is the part and no stripping advice at all. If you go to the connector seller's site the strip dimensions aren't there either. Believe me I've searched for a long time and I can't find a single list of strip dimensions for coax crimp connectors (NOT solder-on connectors please).

Yea I can play it by ear, so to speak, but I can't believe the exact dimensions aren't simply listed on a sheet somewhere. Especially for the connector shown below - a SO-239 crimp connector. You have to solder the center pin on and it then slips into the main body - but it's sure going to be hard to get the center conductor length right without simple dimensions. No seller of this connector shows the lengths to strip the coax. Why?

The strip tool that is in the box has adjustments for the coax diameter and the spacing of the cutters ... but there is no advice whatsoever for how to determine the cutter spacing for any particular connector. You'd think it would be on the connector bag - but it ain't there.

So has anyone ever seen a listing of the exact lengths to strip the coax for crimp connectors? Why aren't the strip dimensions on the part bag? Gah.

Thanks James, and I'll take another look, but I've seen that thread and it doesn't list the dimensions I'm looking for. It has links to crimp connector parts and tools - but not all the stripping dimensions I want to have on hand.

Of course the correct answer is to refer to the manufacturers' product data sheet or application note and not second hand information.

If we buy 'no name' knockoffs from discount vendors, we don't get reliable information and we can't even be sure that branded products are genuine or counterfeit.

The ham community is notoriously tight fisted and the result is that low quality and counterfeit connectors abound. With time most hams get burned. Dealing with the big name vendors and paying for name brand is the best way to ensure you get quality connectors.

Of course the correct answer is to refer to the manufacturers' product data sheet or application note and not second hand information.

Yep, and that's what I've been trying to find. I got the connectors from Texas Towers and they don't actually show the original manufacturer, either on the website or the bag. Until I find that out we're just talking apples and oranges.

I called them today and started asking technical questions about the tools, the guy that answered the phone couldn't answer them, so he transferred me to "John". When I asked "John" about the stripping tool, he told me - "I don't use that tool, I just use a knife".

I can't believe the exact dimensions aren't simply listed on a sheet somewhere. Especially for the connector shown below - a SO-239 crimp connector. You have to solder the center pin on and it then slips into the main body - but it's sure going to be hard to get the center conductor length right without simple dimensions. No seller of this connector shows the lengths to strip the coax.

Tell you what, why don't you stop posting questions and spend 20 minutes on the RF Industries web page.It is all there, just requires reading.

Tell you what, why don't you stop posting questions and spend 20 minutes on the RF Industries web page.It is all there, just requires reading.

Man you are a real piece of work, Mr. helpful. Why don't you stop telling people to stop posting questions on a forum, who the hell are you to make such demands?

The answers just aren't that simple. There are apparently several different connectors with different crimp instructions, so stop acting like you know all there is about it, since you apparently don't. Get off your high horse and lose the attitude.

I have no idea if they were made in the USA though ... that's one of the problems. There are no indications of the man. on the package and Texas Towers sales doesn't even know who made them. They supply a stripper that only has two blades - all the drawings I see supplied show THREE cuts hence three blades. See why I keep asking QUESTIONS? Simply supplying a drawing does not always solve the problem.

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Based on the $$ you spent for the tool kit at you local amateur store and poor support,your anger is misdirected.

It's a FORUM - people ask question on a FORUM. There isn't much use for a FORUM if we can't ask questions - nobody forces anyone to either read or respond to the questions, and you certainly have no business telling people to stop asking questions. That's ridiculous!

As soon as I purchased the crimp tool I used the measurements from the RFI pdf file to make a couple templates for the cable/connectors I use and I keep that in the box with the tool/dies. Its just a dowel with marks on each end, one for 8X and one for LMR400.

As soon as I purchased the crimp tool I used the measurements from the RFI pdf file to make a couple templates for the cable/connectors I use and I keep that in the box with the tool/dies. Its just a dowel with marks on each end, one for 8X and one for LMR400.

That's a good idea. I still haven't heard back from Texas Towers regarding the two-level stripper they provide in the kit (for the smaller cables) vs. every diagram I've been pointed to that shows PL-259 crimp connectors that need a three-level cut. Either the connectors they supply somehow use a two-level cut or they haven't thought about what they have provided in the kit. I've probed the connectors I got from them with a small wire that I bent at the end 90 deg. and I can see how they would need a three-level cut, so I'm just going to set up the stripper for a longer cut than needed for the connectors I have and cut off the extra braid. I mean I can do that, but geez - why'd I pay $100 for a kit when I still have to futz with the cut to get it right?

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